Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to change their shape from a round shape to a half-moon/crescent or sickled shape. People who have SCD have a different type of protein that carries oxygen in their blood (hemoglobin) then people without SCD. This different type of hemoglobin makes the red blood cells change into a crescent shape under certain conditions. Sickle-shaped cells are a problem because they often get stuck in blood vessels blocking the flow of blood, and cause inflammation and injury to the important areas in the body. Lexiscan is drug that may prevent this inflammation and injury caused by the sickle shaped cells. This drug is approved by the FDA to be used as a fast infusion during a heart stress test in people who are unable to exercise enough to put stress on their heart by making it beat faster. Lexiscan has never been studied in patients with SCD and has never been given as a long infusion.

Per protocol, Lexiscan was considered "safe" if well tolerated based on number of DLTs reported. Stage 1 of the study was a 3+3 dose escalation study. Three doses were tested: 0.24 mcg/kg/hr (dose level 0), 0.6 mcg/kg/hr (dose level 1), and 1.44 mcg/kg/hr (dose level 2). Dose escalation continued until 6 participants were treated at the maximum planned dose (dose level 2). We studied a total of 15 patients in Stage 1. In Stages 2 and 3, if at least 2/3 participants tolerated the dose, an additional 3 participants were studied. We studied 6 participants in each of stages 2 and 3. In stage 2b, Lexiscan was studied for a longer (48 hr) duration in 3 participants. In stage 4, Lexiscan was studied in 3 pediatric participants.

Percentage of activated iNKT cells after receiving a 24-hour infusion of Lexiscan was compared to pre-drug. iNKT cell activation was evaluated using antibodies targeting the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (phospho-NF-kB p65). Measures are given as percentage of change in phospho-NF-kB p65 activation in iNKT cells compared to pre-drug after a 24-hour infusion. iNKT cell activation in Stages 1, 2b, and 4 was not analyzed (see analysis population description).

Pain Levels During a Vaso-occlusive Event in Children and Adults With SCD. [ Time Frame: pre-drug to 54 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Pain was measured using a standardized pain scale. The scale is a 10-cm visual analogue scale (10 cm-long line printed on white paper), where 0 is no pain and 10 is maximum pain. Participants were asked to indicate their pain level by marking on the line prior to each blood draw.

12-hour infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. THIS STAGE IS COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL.

Drug: Lexiscan

Given as an infusion

Experimental: Stage 2

24-hour infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. THIS STAGE IS COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL.

Drug: Lexiscan

Given as an infusion

Experimental: Stage 3

24-hour infusion to adults with SCD who are having a pain crisis. THIS STAGE IS COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL.

Drug: Lexiscan

Given as an infusion

Experimental: Stage 4

24-hour infusion to children with SCD who are having a pain crisis. THIS STAGE IS COMPLETE AFTER STUDYING 3 PATIENTS BY AGREEMENT FROM THE FDA, IRB, AND DSMB. THIS STAGE IS CLOSED TO ACCRUAL.

Drug: Lexiscan

Given as an infusion

Experimental: Stage 2B

48-hour infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. THIS STAGE IS COMPLETE AFTER STUDYING 3 PATIENTS BY AGREEMENT FROM THE FDA, IRB, AND DSMB. THIS STAGE IS CLOSED TO ACCRUAL.

Drug: Lexiscan

Given as an infusion

Detailed Description:

In this research study we are looking for the highest dose of Lexiscan that can be given safely to patients with SCD. There are 4 stages to this study. Each stage will look for the highest dose that can be given safely in the following situations: Stage 1: Lexiscan will be given through a 12 hours infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. Stage 2: Lexiscan will be given through a 24 hour infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. Stage 2b: Lexiscan will be given through a 48 hour infusion to adults with SCD who are not having a pain crisis. Stage 3: Lexiscan will be given through a 24 hour infusion to adults with SCD who are having a pain crisis. Stage 4: Lexiscan will be given through a 24 hour infusion to children with SCD who are having a pain crisis. Stages 1-3 are now complete and closed to accrual. The study is now open to children ages 10-17 with SCD pain crisis (stage 4) only.

When participants sign the consent form, they will be told what stage they will join.

Participants in Stages 1, 2, and 2b will be given an infusion of the study drug at the time when they do not have a pain crisis. The infusion for Stage 1 participants will be 12 hours long, followed by a 6-hour observation period. The infusion for Stage 2 will be 24 hours long, followed by a 6-hour observation period. The infusion for Stage 2b will be 48 hours long, followed by a 6-hour observation period.

Participants in Stages 3 and 4 will be given one infusion of the study drug when they are admitted to the hospital for a pain crisis. The infusion will be 24 hours long, followed by a 6-hour observation period. During the infusion, they will receive standard treatment for their pain crisis.

Before the infusion the following procedures will be performed: Pulmonary function test (optional, Stage 1 only), blood test and vital signs.

During the infusion the following procedures will be performed: heart rate and amount of oxygen in the blood will be monitored continuously, blood tests and blood pressure.

During the observation period immediately following the infusion the following procedures will be performed: heart rate and amount of oxygen in the blood will be monitored continuously, blood tests, blood pressure and Pulmonary Function test (optional, Stage 1 only).

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

10 Years to 70 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria Stage I/II/IIb: (COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Participants must have sickle cell anemia confirmed by hemoglobin analysis

Participants must report that their pain is at baseline. Additionally, they cannot report an increase in dose or frequency of opioid use in the last 2 weeks prior to drug administration

Age 21-70 years

Participants must have the laboratory indices as outlined in the protocol

Participants must have reliable IV access as determined by the investigator

Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of the study.

Inclusion Criteria Stage III: (COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Participants must have sickle cell anemia confirmed by hemoglobin analysis

Participant is admitted to the hospital for a pain episode

Age 21-70 years

Participants must have the laboratory indices as outlined in the protocol

Participants must have reliable IV access as determined by the investigator

Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation

Inclusion Criteria Stage IV: (open, still accruing volunteers)

Participants must have sickle cell disease confirmed by hemoglobin analysis

Participant is admitted to the hospital for a pain episode

Ages of assent (10 to 17 years at DFCI, but different depending on institution)

Participants must have the laboratory indices as outlined in the protocol

Participants must have reliable IV access as determined by the investigator

Participants and parents must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent and assent document

Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation

Exclusion Criteria Stage I/II/IIb: (COMPLETE AND CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Participants with a current physician diagnosis of asthma (within last 12 months), require continuous supplemental oxygen, or predicted or current use of some asthma medications.

Have a history of hypertension not adequately controlled with anti-hypertensive medications

Participants who are receiving chronic anti-coagulation or anti-platelet therapy

Participants with a history of metastatic cancer

Participants may not be receiving any other study agents or have received a study agent in the past 30 days

Participants with HIV

Participants who have previously enrolled and received the investigational agent as part of this study

Participants who are taking medications that may interact with the investigational agent

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01085201